Teesdale entrepreneurs' cafe empire expands into Weardale

DALE entrepreneurs who have brewed up two successful businesses in the upper dale have now opened their third cafe in less than two years.
Chris Johnson and Phil Dawson opened Cafe Fresh, in Middleton-in-Teesdale, in January 2015. Despite only setting out to create a quaint coffee shop in the village with two or three tables, their business idea soon flourished.
They began to welcome more customers to their second cafe, at Bowlees Visitor Centre, in March this year.
The pair have now expanded with a third cafe in Weardale. Mr Johnson and Mr Dawson took over Chatterbox Cafe ,in St John’s Chapel, in August. Following a revamp of the premises, the business reopened last week and operated daily from 9am until 5pm. Mr Johnson said: “Taking over Chatterbox is a chance for us to diversify further. We will be offering a very similar concept to what we do in Middleton and Bowlees only it is here in Weardale. We’ve decided to keep the name because everyone knows it as Chatterbox Cafe.”
As well as brewing up a selection of hot drinks including a unique blend of Teesdale’s own Lonton Coffee, the cafe will also have its own deli so customers can order homemade pies and quiches to take out. The Cafe Fresh team also offer outdoor catering services for special occasions.
Mr Johnson said: “We want to give something back to the community like we do in Middleton.” The cafe is also a base for the Upper Weardale Visitor Information Point for tourists. Mr Johnson said: “I saw so much potential with this business. We have been asking people what they want to see and we have got lots of ideas on board. It is a talkative cafe and we are not changing that.”
The pair currently employ 16 members of staff across their three cafes, including the six new roles in Weardale.
Ann Usher, who has been working in the Middleton premises will manage the new venture. Meanwhile Mr Dawson will be managing the Middleton café and Mr Johnson will oversee the whole of Café Fresh including logistics.
Their business has flourished so much they have made Enterprise House, in Barnard Castle, the home of the Café Fresh headquarters.
Long-term plans include extending into tea-time and evening meals.
Mr Johnson said: “ When we first opened in Middleton we only wanted a small café but you can’t shut the door can you? We are victims of our own success. It has all been a bit of a whirlwind.”